The Difference Engine | B2B Category Design | Private Equity | Venture Capital

So the UK government wants to play with the cool kids. It's $20 million investment in Ineffable Intelligence’s record-breaking $1.1B might seem mini in comparison to the total raised, however, it represents something a whole lot bigger.Could this investment model redefine how the UK builds and backs AI companies?We’ll also explore the new elements that are defining Category design today, and turn to the teachings of Geoff Moore to answer the question: What is a market?What to look forward to:01:27 UK public capital backs a UK technology strategy13:36 The 10 most relevant trends right now shaping category design in tech30:51 Geoff Moore on what is a market?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Larry Ellison needed to find 8 to 10 billion dollars to fund his AI data centre gamble. So what did he do? On March 31st, without warning, 30,000 Oracle Corporation employees woke up to an email telling them their jobs were gone.Is this the new reality of pursuing AI innovation in the US? And is it a path the UK should follow?Also in this episode, we’ll ask if Claude Mythos is the end of the Cyber Security boom, or just fantastic PR?What to look forward to:00:33 Collateral Damage: What Oracle’s 30K Layoffs Teach UK Tech13:39 Is Claude Mythos the end of the Cyber Security boom, or just fantastic PR?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

We’re joined by David Friend, co-founder and CEO of Wasabi, for a deep dive into building category-defining tech companies. A six-time founder alongside Jeff Flowers, David’s journey spans pioneering synthesisers at ARP Instruments, whose sounds were used by Pete Townsend, David Bowie, and even R2D2, to leadership roles at Carbonite and beyond. We explore his impact across music, data, and cloud innovation. From shaping soundtracks to shaping storage, David shares lessons from decades as a groundbreaking innovator at the forefront of technology.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Tactics don’t last forever. We’re seeing it right now in the Premier League. The era of Pep Guardiola’s possession dominance is coming under pressure, as teams like Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal gain an edge through set-piece mastery. We’re seeing tactic shifts in the tech, as the old blueprint for category dominance, the SaaS Playbook, loses its edge in the age of AI.But AI hasn’t just changed the game, it’s reshaped the field it’s played on. So how should today’s gaffers rethink their tactics to create the next generation of category leaders?Also in this episode: we’ll be digging into some AI paradoxes and What to look forward to:00:37 The Great Software Switcheroo14:17 Two Paradoxes and a Law33:49 ‘Double your PR budget now’, says Gartner

OpenClaw is making waves as an open-source, self-hosted AI agent platform. But is it a true breakthrough, a passing fad, or simply another feature dressed up as a revolution? With a reported 2 million weekly users, its momentum is hard to ignore.Founders are rapidly deploying agents, investing in hardware, and experimenting at full speed. Even Jason Lemkin of SaaStr has integrated 20 AI agents into his team. Yet his hands-on trials have also surfaced some messy limitations.So what’s the verdict? In the latest episode of The Difference Engine tech strategy podcast, Paul Maher and Jonathan Simnett show whether AI agents outperforming human workers, or are they in fact more similar than we expect?Also in this episode: We’re going to highlight the Europeans leading the AI charge and sift through the debris of the so-called SaaspocalypseWhat to look forward to:00:33 Is OpenClaw a fashion, fad or now just a feature?16:39 Who are the Europeans who are challenging in AI?27:05 What does digital sovereignty mean across the continent?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

You would be forgiven for thinking that Europe has missed tech. As the US and China become global tech powerhouses, it’s easy to think that Europe is simply waving from the shoreline as the tech boat sails away.However, there's another way to look at this. Instead of dominating it’s specialising. From pioneering commercial computing to building systems for complexity, regulation, and the physical world, Europe builds the tech that societies run onAlso in this episode: We’ll explore where Europe can truly lead over the next five years, and bring some clarity to the blurry lines of digital sovereignty across the continent.What to look forward to:00:37 Why Europe hasn’t missed tech10:00 Where can Europe lead in tech over the next five years?20:57 What does digital sovereignty mean across the continent?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen. To find out more about Element, click here

People say that style moves in cycles. From skinny jeans to mullets to Northern Soul, everything waits in the wings before returning to centre stage. So, is it freemium’s time to take the spotlight?With AI companies increasingly choosing open access over strict paywalls, we explore why freemium is back in fashion—and what this resurgence reveals about winning in today’s market.Also in this episode: we’ll assess the new reality of Category power, and ask how do you beat a 40-year-old tech incumbent at its own gameWhat to look forward to:00:35 Freemium as a route to AI category domination09:49 The New Reality of Category Power17:48 How do you beat a 40-year-old tech incumbent at its own game?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

In this episode, we’re joined by Cristina Caffarra, one of Europe’s most respected voices on competition, regulation and the digital economy, to unpack what European tech really needs to succeed. A leading economist educated at the University of Oxford, Cristina brings decades of experience advising companies and governments across Europe. She previously led the European competition practice at a top global consultancy and has been at the centre of many of the debates shaping today’s tech policy. More recently, she is the prominent voice behind EuroStack, an initiative advocating for a more competitive and resilient European digital ecosystem - challenging Europe to think bigger about its technological future.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

In the early 2020s, it was easy to mistake category design for a marketing exercise. A new name, a sharper narrative, a brand refresh, and job done.But as we enter a post-SaaS world, that thinking no longer holds. Category leadership isn’t built by fast-following or ripping off existing winners. It’s earned by defining the future problem space before competitors even realise it’s emerging.Today, we explore what it really takes to lead a category in 2026.Also in this episode: We’ll dig down into all the things that can go wrong on your category journey, and we’ll be reviewing the relationship status of Category creation and VCsWhat to look forward to:00:33 Category creation in a post-SaaS, post-SEO tech world17:51 So you’re on a category journey - what can possibly go wrong?43:30 The “Dead in the Water” Trap - the new relationship between VC and CategoryThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

It’s time to dust off our crystal balls as we conjure our Top 10 tech predictions for 2026. In this episode, we take a look into the year ahead and unpack a bumper crop of new tech ideas and category acronyms from AWO and ANAA to EIG and beyond. AI is firmly in the driving seat for 2026. It’s racing us towards real paradigm shifts in how businesses operate, how value is created, and how entirely new categories are born. So buckle your seat belts. This is going to be a fun ride.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

In 1990, while working at CERN, Tim Berners-Lee proposed and developed what would become one of the most influential spinouts in history: the World Wide Web. The Web was opened to the public in 1991, and in 1993 CERN released the software into the public domain - enabling its rapid global spread and laying the foundation for today’s modern Internet.In Episode 66 of The Difference Engine tech strategy podcast, Paul Maher and I explore a new report that shows European spinouts are emerging as a deep-tech powerhouse. Since 2019, they’ve accounted for 40% of all new startups in these fields - an 80% increase compared with the previous decade.  But the US is still using M&A to capture most of the value from European innovation. So the question is: how does Europe manage this momentum and build future global category leaders?Also in this episode: we unpack the UK’s contentious Digital ID debate and explore the signs that Salesforce is entering the twilight of its era of uncontested category dominance.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Recorded in partnership with Boardwave, this episode of The Difference Engine features Colin Tenwick - a leader whose career tracks the evolution of modern tech.Colin began in the early enterprise software era with Ingres, later leading Sybase and driving Red Hat’s European expansion long before open-source and SaaS were mainstream. Colin’s career is one of constant reinvention. He scaled StepStone into one of Europe’s first major digital recruitment platforms, steered BookaTable as it brought online reservations to the masses, and chaired hybrid-cloud provider Control Circle through to a successful exit.Today, Colin serves as a non-executive chair and investor across private-equity and venture-backed companies, from cybersecurity and marketplaces to consumer platforms and education.In this episode, we explore how Colin maintains consistency and strength within an ever-changing tech industry and how his people-first approach has made him a trusted mentor to founders and boards alike.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

It’s easy to be captivated by the dazzling glow of AI. Sky-high valuations, relentless acquisitions, and the promise of investor cash are drawing in a swarm of hungry tech moths. But what’s really fueling this blaze? What forms the wax that keeps this light alive, and are we overlooking the real AI winners?Today, we uncover the hidden power behind the AI boom.Also in this episode: we’ll look to the past to uncover what the future holds for Category Design, and we’ll take a sharp look at Europe’s unicorns to explore what they reveal about exclusion in tech.What to look forward to:00:33 The Quiet Category Power Beneath the AI Boom11:08 Unicorns and the Glass Ceiling – Europe’s 2025 Tech Reality Check17:17 Category Design's futureThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

MIT’s State of AI in Business 2025 report found that 95% of generative AI pilot projects fail to deliver a measurable return on investment. When findings like this drop, they spread fast - sparking debate, reshaping narratives, and influencing how companies, investors, and even public policymakers think about AI’s real-world impact.So what does MIT’s and other recent reports actually tell us about the position of the AI industry and tech sovereignty? Is it a sobering reality check, meaningless noise, or something else entirely?Also on today’s episode: We’ll be backing our brothers and sisters in Europe, asking if ChatGPT has reached its category peak and talking about a man of many tech and finance moments, Hermann HauserWhat to look forward to:00:33 Reviewing recent AI reports11:22 Taylor Swift nah, meet fast Hermann19:16 ShatGPT? Let’s talk crap…  32:29 Enough of the EU bashing There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Cornwall, in England’s far southwest, is known for its rugged coastline and mining heritage. Home to just over 600,000 people, it’s produced cultural icons from author William Golding to Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood - and now, CUBE’s Founder & CEO, Ben Richmond.In 2008, as the world reeled from the fallout of the financial crisis, Ben saw an opportunity in the wreckage. Predicting a tidal wave of regulatory complexity, he set out to bring clarity to the chaos - creating a platform that could turn regulatory noise into actionable intelligence. That vision became CUBE, now a global leader in RegTech.Recorded live at Boardwave Live, this conversation explores Ben’s journey from a working-class Cornish town to building a brand-new category, redefining compliance as not just a necessity but a strategic advantage and building one of the world’s leading RegTech firms.Ben Richmond isn’t just navigating the future of compliance; he’s defining it. That's why they call him the Rockstar of RegTech.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Recorded at Boardwave Live, this episode of The Difference Engine features former British Army Major General Rupert Jones. With three decades of service, from commanding 5,000 troops in Afghanistan to leading the liberation of Mosul and Raqqah, he brings unparalleled knowledge of strategic leadership. Now advising startups, Rupert guides us through the rapidly relevant world of Defence Tech. We’ll explore how technology and government intersect, the distinctive challenges of defence investing, and why the military might be an unexpected yet rewarding place to take your business. Truly, the Very Model of a Modern Major-General.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

This week, the Difference Engine is stepping out of the office and heading to one of the most exciting tech events of the year - Boardwave Live 2025. The Boardwave network brings together a powerful community of founders, CEOs, chairs, independent NEDs, and investors from across Europe, representing companies at every stage of growth.At their flagship live event in the heart of London, we had the privilege of learning from some of the brightest minds in European tech. It’s an inspiring gathering that gives us at the Difference Engine great optimism for the future of the industry.In this episode, we share our key takeaways from the standout talks, on-the-ground interviews with attendees, and our reflections on the evolving direction, ambition, and next steps for European software.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Klarna has been through the wringer. Once Europe’s most valuable fintech, it’s endured a sharp valuation drop, a tough round of layoffs, and endless questions about the sustainability of ‘buy now, pay later.’ However, with profitability back on the books, Klarna is pushing ahead with its long-awaited IPO. So, does sheer staying power translate into success on the public markets, and does it have that vital Category angle?Also on today’s episode: European fintech takes aim at US incumbents, and AI makes bold moves in bankingWhat to look forward to:01:01 Klarna going for IPO09:26 AI waits for no government - and banking isn’t waiting either19:51 Can European fintech redefine US retail banking27:50 AI Assurance - category or claptrap?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

As the sun sinks over the faltering London Stock Exchange, a new frontier is emerging. Not in Silicon Valley or Wall Street, but deep in the heart of Texas. There, a sharp-shooting newcomer is stepping through the salon doors with a bold dual-listing strategy.Could the Wild West be quietly transforming into the best place to do business?Also on today’s episode, the misunderstanding of the impact of AI and what the first quarter numbers reveal about the SaaS software market.What to look forward to:00:36 Y’all Street12:42 How we’re misunderstanding the impact of LLMs and AI20:25 What Q1 Numbers Reveal About the SaaS Software MarketThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”. This might’ve been true for a couple of love birds in the 15th century, but in the battle for supremacy in today’s AI war, a name (and who controls it) means everything. So who will win the right to claim the name of this new AI category?Also on today’s episode, we’ll ask where all the Quango bosses are going and denounce corporate greed on the anniversary of Mike Lynch’s death.What to look forward to:00:39 The fight to name the new adtech category of AIO vs GEO11:33 Corporate greed on the anniversary of Mike Lynch’s death19:04 Where are all the Quango bosses going?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Welcome to the fifth in a series of interviews with European tech leaders brought to you in association with Boardwave. The Boardwave network is a powerful community of Founders, CEOs, Chairs, Independent NEDs & their Investors from across Europe, representing companies at every stage of development.This week, we are joined by tech entrepreneur Sean Williams. A Philosophy graduate from Cambridge University, Sean brings a sharp strategic mind to solving some of the toughest business challenges with AI. As the Founder and CEO of AutogenAI, a fast-growing scaleup backed by investors like Blossom Capital, Spark Capital, and Salesforce Ventures, Sean is helping companies write smarter, faster, and more persuasive bids for public sector and corporate contracts. Before AutogenAI, Sean founded Corndel Ltd, a workforce development company helping teams make meaningful use of the Apprenticeship Levy. He scaled Corndel to a 350-person team before exiting in a $60 million deal in 2020. In this episode, we dig into his entrepreneurial journey, the future of AI in enterprise, and why it ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

A seasoned technology executive with an extraordinary career spanning more than four decades, Bill Conner is the real deal. From leading companies through high-stakes turnarounds to creating category-defining tech products, Bill has done it all. He’s been a four-time CEO, a trusted partner to Private Equity and Venture Capital, and a go-to expert for driving both top and bottom line growth in complex technology businesses.In this episode, we sit down with Bill to trace his remarkable journey from early engineering roles at AT&T to reshaping the future of cybersecurity at SonicWall and now leading innovation at Jitterbit, where he’s leading their AI-infused low-code platform. We dive deep into AI’s inflection point, his time advising global cybersecurity policy, and the leadership principles that have powered decades of success.Bill's story is a masterclass in resilience, strategic vision, and value creation. If you're building, investing in, or leading a tech company, this episode is not to be missed.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

What do we know about Grok? We know it’s Elon Musk’s latest so-called free speech machine and that it has drawn heavy criticism for spreading hate, earning the disturbing nickname ‘Mecha Hitler.’ With headlines dominated by non-stop controversy, it's no surprise that the broader public knows little about Grok’s technological potential.So are we missing something? Has all the outrage obscured a significant breakthrough?Also on today’s episode: we continue our assessment of the mad mad world of AI right now and take on the future of consulting.What to look forward to:00:26 What the Grok is Going On?06:53 It’s a Mad Mad AI World24:24 Big Flaw in the Big Four? The Future of ConsultingThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

The UK government has pledged £550 million towards quantum technologies. At first glance, that might sound like a hefty sum—enough to buy Chelsea a striker or two. But when you stack it against Amazon’s £40 billion investment in the UK, it raises a serious question:Is the UK taking quantum seriously?Also on today’s episode: we take a look at how Swedish startup Lovable stacks up in the crowded AI arena, and explore why, when the going gets tough, the tough choose to think differently.What to look forward to:00:30 £550m for Quantum, £40bn from Amazon09:46 When the going gets tough, the tough think different 21:10 Lovable - Europe’s new category leader?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

‘A gut feeling.' It's a fairly common answer from many VCs when asked why they backed a particular startup over another. When all the numbers have been crunched and the data deliberated, the final decision often bypasses the brain and falls on the gut. However, is the human gut about to be out of a job?Nik Storonsky, co-founder of Revolut, is betting on it. Will his new venture, QuantumLight, usher in a new era of algorithmic investing? And if so, are you ready?Also on today's episode, a word from the Wise to the London Stock Exchange andn we wade through all the noise coming out of London Tech Week What to look forward to:00:30 Has the age of algorithmic investing begun?11:48 London tech listings - Wise, the overdue wake-up call21:33 London Tech Week or London Tech Weak?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Every crisis hides an opportunity. That might be cold comfort for M&S execs staring down a £300 million profit hit after a shelf shattering cyberattack. However, here at The Difference Engine, we prefer to see the positive.With cybersecurity now front and centre, and traditional defences clearly falling short, the question is: how can you seize the moment?Also in today’s episode, how Builder.ai rose fast and stumbled hard, and whether Intel can hold it together after going under the knife.What to look forward to:00:32 The £300m lessons from the Marks & Spencer hack 10:41 Builder.ai - Dotcom time again?20:22 Intel: The surgery is underway, but will a dissection begin?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Welcome to the fourth in a series of interviews with European tech leaders brought to you in association with Boardwave. The Boardwave network is a powerful community of Founders, CEOs, Chairs, Independent NEDs & their Investors from across Europe, representing companies at every stage of development.This week, we are joined by tech entrepreneur Amber Vodegel. Born in the Netherlands and now based in the UK, Amber has built a career at the cutting edge of healthtech, creating tools that directly improve lives. As the founder of Pregnancy+, the world’s leading pregnancy app with over 150 million users, she bootstrapped her way to a successful acquisition by Philips. Today, Amber is leading 28X, a groundbreaking femtech initiative using AI to close the gaps in women’s health through inclusive, privacy-first education and care. Alongside her entrepreneurial ventures, she also serves as a Non-Executive Director at MyHealthChecked PLC, continuing her mission to drive ethical, sustainable innovation in digital health.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Y Combinator is widely regarded as the world’s leading startup accelerator, having helped launch companies now worth a combined $800 billion! So when they speak, it’s worth paying close attention. Today, we’re diving into some timeless wisdom from Y Combinator co-founder Paul Graham.Could a couple of key insights change your chance of success?Also in today’s episode, we'll take a look at the launch of a new Big 4 spin-out consulting firm, Unity. They are backed by $300 million of PE money.  But are they different enough to cut the mustard?What to look forward to:00:35 Growth lessons from Y Combinator18:11 Where’s The Difference? The Cobbler’s Children Run Barefoot at Unity There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Welcome to the third in a series of interviews with European tech leaders brought to you in association with Boardwave. The Boardwave network is a powerful community of Founders, CEOs, Chairs, Independent NEDs & their Investors from across Europe, representing companies at every stage of development.This week, This week we are joined by Boardwave patron and mentor Rich Waterworth. Rich has spent his career at the intersection of media and technology, shaping the future of how we create, consume, and connect. From 2019 to 2024, he served as General Manager of TikTok across Europe and EMEA, steering the platform’s explosive growth and building a brand that sits at the heart of modern culture. Before that, he spent nearly ten years at YouTube leading Marketing for EMEA, where he played a pivotal role in launching the ‘Creator’ movement which fueled the platform’s meteoric rise. Earlier in his journey, Rich helped pioneer the UK's shift to on-demand viewing by launching ITV Player and co-creating the connected TV service YouView. Today, he's diving deep into the social impact of digital life at the Oxford Internet Institute, and giving back as a Trustee for the Teenage Cancer Trust.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

When global trade becomes chaotic, tech steps up to create order. In today’s episode, we explore the idea of ‘Tariff Tech’. Born from disruption, driven by necessity, and poised to reshape supply chains, resilience, and trust in an uncertain world.Is there a golden opportunity hidden within Trump’s tariff turmoil?Also in today’s episode, we’ll ask how AI can downsize your team while dialling up your productivity, and we’ll continue to be Europe’s loudest cheerleaders by speculating how the dumping of Chinese electronics could give the continent a competitive edge.What to look forward to:00:35 Market uncertainty and new category definition 13:49 What could the dumping of electronics mean for European inflation and investment?26:23 Smaller marketing teams and AIThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Welcome to the second in a series of interviews with European tech leaders brought to you in association with Boardwave. The Boardwave network is a powerful community of Founders, CEOs, Chairs, Independent NEDs & their Investors from across Europe, representing companies at every stage of development.This week, we are joined by Boardwave member and patron, Steve Garnett. A man of many accomplishments, Steve is best known as the former Chair of Salesforce in Europe, having built Category leader Salesforce’s operations in EMEA from scratch, a leadership challenge he’d previously risen to with both Siebel and Oracle. He is now a prolific SaaS tech investor and board member. From a council estate in Liverpool to the top of the enterprise software industry, Steve’s journey is both remarkable and inspiring. We’ll explore his path to success and the invaluable lessons he’s learned along the way.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Why would someone buy a stock? It’s a good question - one whose answer has changed in recent times. Stock markets are struggling to keep up with the chaos of a new world order.So in a market where a single Trump tweet can trigger massive, unpredictable swings where do tech investors turn and what impact will this have on the tech sector? Could it spell a Category opportunity?Also in today’s episode, we’ll ask if Salesforce is making a new case for Category leadership and are static workforces a sign of the times?What to look forward to:00:29 The Trump Put = Tech Correction = Category Opportunity10:37 Salesforce makes its new case for Category leadership 21:51 Static workforces - sign o’ the timesThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Welcome to the first in a series of interviews with European tech leaders brought to you in association with Boardwave. The Boardwave network is a powerful community of Founders, CEOs, Chairs, Independent NEDs & their Investors from across Europe, representing companies at every stage of development.This week, we are joined by Boardwave member Stephane Kurgan. A man of many accomplishments in the IT and associated investment industries, Stephane is best known for being the COO of European Category leader, King Digital Entertainment. During Stephane’s tenure, King made social gaming their own, listing on NASDAQ and growing to become a multi-billion dollar turnover organisation before an eventual $5.9 bn exit to Activision Blizzard in 2015.There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that, despite our admiration for Nvidia, its future may not be as assured as it seemed just a few months ago. A striking graph from New Normal Consulting compares Cisco’s meteoric rise and sharp decline from 1990 to 2002 with Nvidia’s trajectory from 2014 to the present. The correlation is almost 100%. Spooky.Do stock market bubbles always follow the same pattern? What forces could be pushing Nvidia towards a similar fate? And, what can Nvidea do to avoid ‘doing a Cisco’?Also in today’s episode: Are we waving goodbye to SaaS and welcoming the era of AaaS? Plus, we take a trip across the Channel to unpack what the Paris AI Summit reveals about the shifting relationship between politicians and the tech industry.What to look forward to:00:40 Will Nvidia `do a Cisco`?20:57 Who does the EU think it is? Or the UK for that matter28:57 Is SaaS a Dead Man Walking?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

This week, we’re joined by one of Britain’s most innovative entrepreneurs, Husayn Kassai. Born in Iran, Husayn moved to Manchester at the age of 10, where his occupied with playing video games and selling Iranian music CDs online.Husayn later attended Oxford University, where he secured £12,000 in funding to launch his AI start-up, Onfido. What started as a bold idea became a groundbreaking company, culminating in the UK’s largest AI exit to date with a $650M deal. Rather than stepping away after this milestone, Husayn has returned to the industry with fresh perspectives, renewed ambition and a new company called Quench.A key to Husayn’s success has been his ability to anticipate the societies and demands of the future. In this episode, we explore his journey up to now and discuss where he and the wider tech industry are heading next.https://quench.ai/https://www.londonaihub.co.uk/There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

NVIDIA's groundbreaking Personal AI Supercomputer has shaken the PC industry, leaving giants like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo scrambling to find their footing. At the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Los Angeles, these manufacturers seized the opportunity to prove they belong in the emerging AI PC market. So, let's see what they’ve got to offer.Also in today’s episode, we’ll be asking if the EU’s tech police are losing control of the streets and be giving you a hands on guide on how to carve out your own category nicheWhat to look forward to:00:29 Desktop AI category wars hot up 09:11 How to carve out a sub-category from an established niche27:09 Is it all over for the EU as tech’s police?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

In tech, it often feels like innovation is reserved for the big players - those with the money and means to lead the way. But this can change in an instant. Just look at cloud computing, 3D printing, and the internet. These technologies democratised the ability for people to explore and push the cutting edge. Now, it seems the wall around AI is poised to be shattered with NVIDIA’s personal AI supercomputer.So what happens when the full power of AI is placed in the hands of the masses?Also in today’s episode, we’ll dive into the history books to extract valuable lessons from past category blunders and analyse Europe’s prospects for tech success.What to look forward to:00:23 Personal AI supercomputer - A new era of innovation09:08 Category clangers 34:59 Which way for EMEA’s Category leaders?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

What happens if you fail to adapt to the age of AI? Intel's decline offers us a compelling insight into this question. They failed to keep up with the pack in 2024 and on the first of December CEO Pat Gelsinger was forced into an early resignation.So, what does 2025 hold for Intel? Is there a pathway back to industry leadership, or will this former giant be chipped away into obscurity?Also in today’s episode, we ask if our obsession with AI is distracting us from developing critical tech, and what has happened to the category plays of the past? Are they losing, schmoozing or simply snoozing? What to look forward to:00:37 Something had to give at Intel07:33 AI’s Category cloak15:45 Losers, Snoozers, and Schmoozers There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

The world of tech never stands still.2024 has been another year of breakthroughs, challenges, and trends. In this episode, we reflect on the most significant tech stories of the year, from AI's rapid evolution to blockchain's unprecedented expansion. Looking ahead, we share our predictions for 2025, highlighting the areas of tech that will redefine industries and reshape society.What to look forward to:00:40 The magnificent seven that defined the IT industry in 2024/202520:11 Lynch’s legacy26:47 The state of EMEA startup categoriesThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Today, we’re talking to Ben Marrel, co-founder of Breega, a fast-growing European VC firm that is on a mission to lead categories with its mission driven investments.Based in London, with offices in Paris and Barcelona, Breega has supported high-potential companies like Curve, Cuvva, Exotech, and Moneybox - recently valued at £550 million. In this conversation, we’ll explore Ben’s insights on the European startup ecosystem, the data driven link between diversity and profitability, and why he believes Africa will emerge as the next major hub for opportunity in the global economy.What to look forward to:00:10 Ben Marrel introduction01:18 Breega and the state of early stage start-ups in Europe22:02 Diversity as a differentiator31:26 Will Africa be the next tech hub?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Ding, ding! The bell has rung for the showdown of the century as the Department of Justice steps into the ring against Google. The DOJ throws a hefty hook in the form of a 23 page document which aims to chip and chisel away at Google’s monopoly. Could this blow crush Google’s category lead? Will Chrome be dislodged like a loose tooth? Or are we in for a gruelling twelve round slugfest?Also in today’s episode, we react to that Jaguar advert and ask if Stablecoin could be the category leader that crypto currency has been searching for.What to look forward to:00:35 Google - Breaking up is hard to do09:49 Jaguar - breakdown of a brand blunder26:34 The Stablecoin Revolut-ionThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Today, we have the privilege of speaking with someone who has a proven track record of founding and exiting category-defining companies.Nigel Verdon, born in Germany, began his journey studying Mechanical Engineering at Warwick University. After a brief stint in the automotive industry with EBS, he transitioned into financial services, carving out an impressive career. His roles include working at Swiss Bank Corporation, serving on the board of LCJ, and holding a director position at Dresdner Kleinwort Investment Bank.Nigel has made a particularly significant impact on the world of Fintech, founding three companies, including Currency Cloud - a unicorn that has revolutionised the way businesses manage international payments. In this discussion, we’ll dive into Nigel’s unique path to tech leadership, explore the future of Fintech, and uncover why the next wave of technological innovation feels decidedly artisanal.What to look forward to:00:16 Introduction to Nigel Verdon 01:45 Nigel’s unique path to tech leadership25:48 Where does Fintech go from here?35:26 Tech’s artisanal futureThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Europe's favourite unicorn, Stripe, has announced that it is picking up crypto Stablecoin player, Bridge, for $1.1 billion. But why is the fintech powerhouse spending nearly two percent of its valuation on the roll of a crypto dice?Could it be an ingenious category play?Also in today’s episode, we’ll be flicking through the history books to try and predict Apple’s future, and tackle the age-old question; what is the right amount of tech branding?What to look forward to:00:35 Can Europe’s biggest unicorn change its Stripes?07:20 Is Europe’s home of tech now struggling? 11:18 History repeats itself - Is Apple becoming the new Sony? 27:51 What’s the right amount of tech branding?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Today, we explore the remarkable career of Sumir Karayi, whose journey took him from one of the UK's worst schools to becoming one of the country's most successful entrepreneurs.As the founder and CEO of 1E, Karayi grew his company organically over 20 years, serving 1,700 organisations across 42 countries with 26 million licenses deployed. 1E is now ranked in the Sunday Times International Track 100 league of top private companies and is recognised as one of the top 20 companies for CIOs.In this discussion, we’ll cover how Karayi developed the world’s first green software, why regulations can be a positive force in tech, and why he believes you shouldn’t start a start-up.What to look forward to:00:09 Sumir Karayi introduction01:45 The green challenge for tech08:20 The Crowdstrike debacle18:44 Why is Government not liked in tech25:43 Sumir’s path to success & founder advice There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

The Labour Party is about to unveil its first budget in over 14 years. This is a huge moment for the country as the foundations for its economic future are put in place. But the budget doesn’t only affect the UK’s bank balance, it also influences the behaviour and values of its citizens.So, will the red briefcase promote entrepreneurship and the category leaders of tomorrow or will it suffocate the UK’s promising tech scene? Also in today’s episode, we bring you the lessons from two of the UK’s most fascinating meetings of minds; DigiGov and the Sifted SummitWhat to look forward to:00:42 The UK budget. Are we killing the golden goose13:24 DigiGov Expo review26:34 Sifted Summit reviewThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

How did Microsoft’s controversial ‘partnership’ with UK AI firm Inflection slip through the CMA's (Competition and Markets Authority) net, while Adobe’s multi-billion-dollar Figma acquisition got blocked? In this episode, we dive deep into the paperwork to uncover the methods and motivations behind the CMA’s puzzling ruling on the Inflection deal. Is the regulator inconsistent, misunderstood, or simply out of its depth?Also in today’s episode, we share the intellectual spoils from this year's Boardwave event and discuss Intel’s uncertain future. What to look forward to:00:30 Is the CSA’s clearing of the Inflection deal an inflection point or just a mistake09:27 Intel’s crossroad22:42 Broadwave reviewThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

In this episode of The Difference Engine, we sit down with a major figure in the global software industry - Phill Robinson. With a career spanning multiple continents and as the CEO of Velocix, IRIS, and Exact, Phil's contributions to the tech world has been monumental. Today, he’ll share what he learnt from working in the heart of industry giants including Oracle, Sybase, Siebel, and Salesforce. We’ll also delve into his latest venture: Boardwave. A unique community aimed at helping Europe compete with Silicon Valley and create the next generation of tech category leaders.What to look forward to:00:10 Phill Robinson introduction01:22 Boardwave: addressing Europe’s category creation deficit18:28 The lessons of serial category leadership29:37 Grinds my gears - unicorns33:33 Why authenticity matters if you want to be differentThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

We like Elon Musk's style. In previous episodes, we’ve championed him as a visionary innovator and category king. One of the things we’ve always admired is his bold approach to business. But, his recent posts on X seem less bold, and more barmy. Is Musk’s free speech starting to backfire?Will he be the engineer of his own downfall? Also in today’s episode, We’ll be looking at the love affair between politicians and tech jobs, asking if the SaaS playbook is the road to category leadership and analysing the aftermath of when Cisco and Linksys collided.What to look forward to:00:34 Has Musk gone mad?15:03 Why Tech jobs are not as helpful for politicians as they hope20:32 When categories collide: Cisco and LinksysThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

If you’re a regular listener of the show then you’ll know that we’re always banging on about two things: European category leaders and AI. Well, while sniffing around this year's SaaStr event, our dreams came true. We think we found a potential AI category leader based in Cologne, Germany.Could Jaroslaw Kutylowski’s translation service, DeepL, be the golden goose?Also in today’s episode, We’ll take a look at how Apple is redefining privacy and why London Tech Week needs a big rethink.What to look forward to:01:24 Can Europe create an AI category leader?12:41 Apple will redefine the meaning of AI privacy.17:54 What is the point of London Tech Week? There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi. Three of the greats, and sometimes under-rated manufacturers of automobile. From Honda’s engines revolutionising motorsport to Nissan making the iconic British Austin 7 cars under license, they’ve got a rich history. But where will the future take them? How will their new joint research venture create fundamental software for the next generation of SDVs? It’s clear that not only are manufacturers seeing a shift in value from parts to software, but that consumers are too. Mainly, we just want Apple CarPlay…Also in today’s episode, we’ll look at whether it was Crowdstrike’s desire to pursue commercial hegemony that put the globe’s IT systems into disarray, why analysts are predicting that Apple will lose 4-5% of profits after the Google court ruling, and we’re not sure what this says about the UK’s tech industry but only six people are actually entrepreneurs in Computer Weekly’s list of UKTech50…What to look forward to:0134 - Putting the SDV in SUV1733 - What CrowdStrike teaches us about the wisdom of creating ‘platforms’.2816 - The Sage of Omaha-ha isn’t funny over in Cupertino3319 - The UKtech50 2024 - APPARENTLY the most influential people in UK technologyThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.